Marijuana Toxicity

Marijuana ingestion by dogs is becoming more and more common. In most cases, the owners have no idea where the pet may have gotten the marijuana and don’t even realize their pet has eaten it. In most scenarios, the dog is on a hike with its owner or on a walk in a park and an hour or so later, begins acting strangely. The owners are panicked, not understanding what is going on with their beloved pet. We receive the phone call that their dog is “acting strange”, stumbling, incontinent, and drooling. Every staff member at the clinic is familiar with this scenario and we all know the most likely suspect: marijuana.

Common symptoms of marijuana toxicity include:

Loss of balance

Incontinence

Drooling

Drowsiness

Vomiting

Dilated pupils

Confusion

Agitation or excitability

Irregular heart beat

Rapid breathing

In Colorado, we have an additional poisoning risk for dogs. Since marijuana has become legal, veterinarians across Colorado routinely see dogs for marijuana toxicity. Marijuana edibles are more potent these days and although it is unlikely that a dog could die from ingesting marijuana, it is still a possibility. If you have marijuana around the house (legal or otherwise) please treat it like a drug and keep it out of your dog’s reach.

Even if you are sure there is no marijuana in your house, that doesn’t mean your dog didn’t find some outside. Remember, they have a really good sense of smell and if it’s around, they will find it. As a matter of fact, many patients we see have ingested the feces of a human who has consumed marijuana. Did you know that 35% of THC that is ingested gets passed through the feces and can cause toxicity in the unfortunate poo-eater. So if your dog suddenly appears very drowsy and uncoordinated and may be hyper sensitive to noise and touch and especially if they start to dribble urine, call us right away. Depending on the severity of the toxicity, the effects can last for a few days until it has passed thru the entire GI tract. With early treatment we can reduce the amount the dog absorbs and shorten the side effects.

If you suspect your pet has ingested marijuana or may have possibly gotten into chocolate, foods with xylitol sweeter, a rodenticde or any lawn and garden product, please contact us immediately! (970-879-5273)

The ASPCA’s Poison Control Center also has a 24 hour hotline at 888-426-4435 and since 1978, they have handled more than 2 million cases!

There is a new kidney screening test, the IDEXX SDMA™ Test, that enables the identification of chronic kidney disease in cats and dogs months or even years earlier than traditional blood tests. It is estimated that over 1 in 3 cats and 1 in 10 dogs will develop kidney disease in their lifetimes.

We're offering this test for free if your pet has had a Wellness exam with us in the last year. Those yearly Wellness exams are super important in picking up diseases that are easier to treat or even prevent in the early stages. This new SDMA blood test can be a game changer as kidney disease is often silent until it causes significant clinical signs! Take advantage of this amazing new test!!

What is kidney disease?

Your pet's kidneys play an important part in filtering and removing waste from the body. Kidney disease occurs when something causes these functions to be compromised and it typically falls into two categories:

CKD can happen for a variety of reasons: kidney stones, infections (including Lyme disease in dogs), toxins, injuries, genetic abnormalities, cancer, and others. If kidney disease is suspected, your veterinarian will work with you to determine the underlying cause of the disease and create the best treatment or management plan for your pet.

What are the signs of chronic kidney disease?

Regular checkups and screenings are an important part of catching kidney disease as early as possible. Your veterinarian will work with you to determine your pet's kidney function on a regular basis depending on their symptoms, age and other factors.

What is the treatment for chronic kidney disease?

• Feeding a high-quality, kidney-supportive diet, often as wet food to help with hydration.

Once my pet is diagnosed with CKD, what's the long-term management and monitoring plan?

As your pet ages and his or her condition changes, different diets, medications or additional fluids may be needed. Because of this, your veterinarian will work with you to monitor your pet's condition by rechecking your pet's kidney function with blood and urine tests. With early chronic kidney disease, your pet may need a recheck only two or three times a year; more visits are often helpful as the disease progresses.

Look at these beautiful cats looking for homes. Go say hi and see if one steals your heart!

Calling all introverts! Do you know an introvert who you love in your life? So do we! Please help our more insecure or shy cats get adopted by giving them a 30-day adoption trial in your home. Our shy kitty adoption fees will be 20% off for the rest of March. Nixon, Brix, Alba, and Samantha would all love a home before spring comes! ... See more